In Granby on Saturday

Updated: With pictures from the April Street Market.

Having visited 2 of Liverpool’s street markets a week or so back I’m glad to let you know that the Granby 4 Streets Market is back on the first Saturday of every month, from now to September. 10:30 ’til 3:00 in Cairns Street, Liverpool 8.

If you’ve been around this blog for any amount of time then you’ll know I have a lot of time for the people who live in the four remaining original streets of Granby, here in Liverpool. Streets where the majority of houses are empty and have been for years.

Naturally the people have been working and campaigning for years to get this sorted and ‘being sorted’ could, I understand, become true some day soon now. But while waiting for this joyous day to finally arrive, the people of Granby 4 Streets have taken their place into their own hands in two significant ways. For several years now they’ve been guerrilla gardening, planting up their streets. And they’ve been running street markets. This Saturday the Street Markets resume for this spring and summer, and I think your life would be brighter and more fulfilled if you were to come to it.

The Street Market, Cairns Street, Liverpool 8.

Planting up the streets began as a deliberate way of making the place look special and cared for and a pleasure to live in, when all of the tinned up properties might suggest that none of those things were true.

And the 4 Streets are now an oasis in this part of Liverpool 8.The guerrilla gardeners ‘That Blooming Green Triangle’ being declared the winners of the Spirit of Merseyside Environmental Impact Award for 2013.Gardens carefully and beautifully done.And obviously these are pictures taken from several years worth of gardening.So the wildflower meadow on Ducie Street isn’t in bloom yet.

But springtime is happening, nature is in full flow.

And Cairns Street is ready to welcome you.

In fact, come and see what a plum tree in bloom looks like.

On Saturday the street will fill with people and stalls.The garden will be open.Stalls filled with all manner of things.

Izzy will be running a children’s art workshop.

Of the people, by the people and for the people.Faisa will be doing food.Bikes will be fixed.But above all else there will be people.

The people of Granby, the people of Liverpool 8, coming together to celebrate each other, to celebrate the place.

To talk about what could happen next.

To celebrate life and the living of it.

And to never ever give up.

This is a very special place and you will be made very welcome. See you there?

So, how did it go?

Well early on it looked like it might rain all day. But mostly it didn’t.

Cairns Street on Market Day.Lots of people came and there was plenty of food.Many bikes got repaired.Much bric-a-brac was rummaged through and bought.Even more food and many clothes.And the street was in bloom.Full of springtime growth.Alive with colour.Alive and shining in Liverpool 8.See you next time? Saturday 3rd May?